Daddy-Daughter Dance returns to South Salt Lake for 2017

Feb 03, 2017 11:34AM
● By Brian Shaw

Area residents enjoy a Daddy-Daughter Dance. (Trisha Gold Shaw)

By Brian Shaw | brian.shaw@cityjournals.com

A long standing tradition returns to South Salt Lake for the new
year. The city will bring area residents and others another Daddy-Daughter
Dance at the Columbus Center from 6 to 9 p.m. on
Fri. Feb. 10.

“This event has been going on for about 15 or 20 years, and we're
really pleased to be able to bring it back for another year,” said Myrna Clark,
the city's deputy recreation director and event organizer.

The dance ties itself around that most celebrated of romantic
events—Valentine's Day. However, in order to appease the wives and girlfriends
the city holds the dance on Friday—leaving everyone to still celebrate the
holiday to their heart's content.

According to Clark, the event has become so popular that other
cities have called asking for advice on how to coordinate such an event at
their recreation centers. When asked why there is such intense interest in the
event, Clark was honest in her assessment of the Daddy-Daughter Dance.

“You know, I think it's a low-cost, informal event. It all goes
back to the investment in events like these that we make to keep people
coming,” Clark said.

She added that even dads who have moved out of the area in which
they were raised, often bring their daughters back for the dance. Several years
ago, Clark said former residents complained about not being allowed to attend
because they weren't current residents, and so the city changed their policy
and now allows anyone to come.

The cost is only $3 per couple or $2 for each additional daughter
in the group, an amazing price considering what goes into every Daddy-Daughter
Dance, according to Clark.

With princess activities such as face painting and light costuming,
not to mention refreshments, crafts, and photos for a small fee, it's an event dads
and their daughters don't want to miss.